A Licensed Practical Nurse is a vital member of the healthcare team, providing direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. As an integral part of the team, they perform duties essential to the promotion of health and wellness, and the prevention of diseases. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, clinics, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare facilities, performing duties in line with the state’s scope of nursing practice. Their duties depend on the place of employment. However, common responsibilities include administering medication, dressing wounds, assisting patients with personal care activities, observing patients, taking vital signs, and reporting adverse reactions to medications and treatments to registered nurses and other members of the patient care team. Prospective nurses should have a sincere interest in caring for others, possess sound judgment, and demonstrate professionalism at all times.
GateWay Community College
GateWay Community College offers a fast track practical nursing certificate to prepare students for entry-level employment in the field. Students have the option to apply for a nursing assistant certificate at the conclusion of the first semester. They may also continue the coursework to obtain an associate of applied science in nursing to become a registered nurse. The curriculum is a combination of classroom theory and skills in the school’s simulated lab. Students also apply their learned skills through the clinical experience at community nursing homes, clinics, and hospitals. Instructors use lectures, online case studies, simulations, and role play to encourage student engagement in the program. Since the course involves extensive use of technology, students must have access to personal computers or make use of the computers available on campus. The curriculum covers 780 clock hours including prerequisite courses. Graduates are prepared for success on the NCLEX-PN exam and for careers in acute care, intermediate care, and extended care facilities.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Maricopa Community College
- Attend a GateWay Nursing Information Session
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Submit transcripts showing successful completion of NUR158 or NCE150/151 in the past year or have a current license as a Certified Nurse Assistant/Licensed Nurse Assistant
- Take and pass the HESI A2 admission exam with a score of 75 or higher in English Language and Math
- Complete a level one DPS fingerprint clearance card
- Complete the Health and Safety Documentation Form
- Meet with the nursing advisor to review and sign the application
- Complete a urine drug screen
Tuition costs $97 per credit hour for in-county residents. Other costs include registration, admission test, books, uniforms, shoes, certified background check, immunization, CPR, fingerprint clearance card, clinical placement platform, and health document tracker.
- Website: https://www.gatewaycc.edu/
- Address: 108 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034
- Phone: (602) 286-8000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Phoenix College
Phoenix College hosts a PN-ADN step program that allows students to exit the program after the completing the educational requirements for practical nurses. The program includes theory in the classroom and practical instruction in the school’s simulation lab as well as real-world patient care experiences in various health care settings. Course topics include biology for allied health, college mathematics, human anatomy and physiology, nursing theory and science, critical thinking and reasoning, introduction to psychology, and microbiology. Graduates will receive a Practical Nursing Certificate. They will be prepared to function as effective beginning practical nurses, demonstrate critical thinking skills and evidence based practice, assist with data collection, implement patient care plans, demonstrate caring behaviors, and provide basic, safe nursing care.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Maricopa Community College
- Attend a Nursing Program Information Session
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must complete the prerequisite courses with a passing grade
- Take and pass the HESI A2 admission exam with a score of 75 or higher in English Language and Math
- Complete a level one DPS fingerprint clearance card
- Complete the Health and Safety Documentation Form
- Meet with the nursing advisor to review and sign the application
- Complete a urine drug screen
Tuition costs $97 per credit hour for in-county residents. Other costs include registration, admission test, books, uniforms, shoes, certified background check, immunization, CPR, fingerprint clearance card, clinical placement platform, and health document tracker.
- Website: https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/
- Address: 1202 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013
- Phone: 602-285-7777
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95%
Paradise Valley Community College
The practical nursing certificate is offered as part of the ADN- PN Step Out option at Paradise Valley Community College. Students may enroll in the ADN program and exit to earn a practical nursing certificate and apply for licensure as a practical nurse. The program meets the requirements of the Arizona Board of Nursing so graduates will be eligible for licensure. Students will learn how to provide advocacy and individualized care for diverse populations, demonstrate legal and ethical behaviors, function effectively within the health care team, take accountability for quality improvement and personal performance, and use evidence-based practice to meet patients’ individual needs. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX for Practical Nurses.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Maricopa Community College
- Attend a Nursing Program Information Session
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must complete the prerequisite courses with a passing grade
- Take and pass the HESI A2 admission exam with a score of 75 or higher in English Language and Math
- Complete a level one DPS fingerprint clearance card
- Complete the Health and Safety Documentation Form
- Meet with the nursing advisor to review and sign the application
- Complete a urine drug screen
Tuition costs $97 per credit hour for in-county residents. Students must cover the costs for books, supplies, uniforms, and admissions expenses.
- Website: https://www.paradisevalley.edu/
- Address: 18401 N. 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85032
- Phone: (602) 787-7000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Glendale Community College
The practical nursing certificate is offered as part of the ADN- PN Step Out option at Glendale Community College. Students can choose to sit for the licensure exam for practical nurses after the second semester of the program and/or continue their education to prepare for licensure as a regisered nurse. The entire program, including the step-out option is approved by the Board of Nursing. Course topics include introductory biology for allied health, college mathematics, human anatomy and physiology, nursing theory and science, college critical reading and critical thinking, introduction to psychology, and microbiology. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX for Practical Nurses.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Maricopa Community College
- Attend a Nursing Program Information Session
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have current nurse aide certification
- Must complete the prerequisite courses with a passing grade
- Take and pass the HESI A2 admission exam with a score of 75 or higher in English Language and Math
- Complete a level one DPS fingerprint clearance card
- Complete the Health and Safety Documentation Form
- Meet with the nursing advisor to review and sign the application
- Complete a urine drug screen
Tuition costs $97 per credit hour for in-county residents. Students must cover the costs for books, supplies, uniforms, and admissions expenses.
- Website: https://www.gccaz.edu/
- Address: 6000 West Olive Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85302
- Phone: (623) 845-3000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Central Arizona College
The practical nursing certificate option is available within the career ladder program at Central Arizona College. Students will receive knowledge and skills to enter the nursing workforce and to pursue further education to the registered nursing BSN degree and MSN degree. Students must complete prerequisite courses before applying to the program. Course topics include anatomy and physiology, college composition, microbiology, advance medical terminology, nursing transitions introduction, nursing psychiatric care and developmental transitions, introduction to principles and application of drug dosage calculations, fundamentals of health/illness, nursing in obstetrics and pediatric transitions, introduction to pathopharmacology, and nursing professional transitions. Students may apply to sit for the NCLEX-PN after completing nursing professional transitions and continue the program for two additional semesters to earn a registered nursing degree.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must have completed prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – general biology, anatomy and physiology, licensed nursing assistant
- Must be eligible to register for College Composition I and Coillege Mathematics or higher
- Must pass the HESI Nursing entrance exam with a 80% minimum with 90-95% preferred on Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Mathematics
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher on nursing prerequisite courses
- Must pass a criminal background check and drug screen
Tuition costs $75 per credit hour for Arizona residents. Books and supplies are additional.
- Website: https://centralaz.edu/
- Address: 8470 N. Overfield Road, Coolidge, AZ 85128
- Phone: 520-494-5111
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
East Valley Institute of Technology
The Practical Nursing Program at EVIT prepares students with knowledge and skills to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. The comprehensive program includes 1080 clock hours of theory and clinical instruction. Areas of study include medical surgical nursing, mental health nursing, geriatric nursing, fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, pediatric nursing, and transition to nursing. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the national licensure to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. The duration of the program is 12 months. Classes meet Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an advising session with the Nursing Director
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Submit transcripts of any college courses completed
- Take and pass the TEAS or HESI with a score of 70% or better
- Have a current state Nurse Assistant license or certification as a Medical Assistant or Emergency Medical Technician
- Complete a Level One DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Complete the Notarized Felony Reporting Form
- Must have a valid government-issued photo ID and social security card
- Provide documentation of health insurance
- Complete the health and safety documentation before commencing the clinical rotation
Tuition costs $14,000. Books and supplies cost an additional $2,605. Other out-of-pocket expenses are an estimated $1,105 and will include cost of uniform, fingerprint card, drug screen, Board of Nursing application fee, fingerprinting, and NCLEX-PN exam.
- Website: https://www.evit.com/
- Address: 1601 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Phone: 480-461-4000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 68.29%
How Long is the LPN Program in Phoenix?
A practical nursing program includes theory and hands-on training that requires at least 12 months’ commitment to complete according the Board’s specification. A fast-track, two-semester program is available at GateWay College and is open to students who have completed the prerequisite coursework. The 12-month estimated time to completion is based in full-time attendance only. Part-time schedules may be completed in 18 to 24 months.
How Do I become an LPN in Arizona?
You must obtain a license from the Arizona Board of Nursing before practicing as a licensed practical nurse. Apply for licensure by Examination if you have graduated from an approved nursing program, need to take the NCLEX exam and obtain an original LPN license in Arizona.
Arizona is part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) and no longer part of the Original Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Therefore, you may be eligible for multistate licensure of you meet the requirements. This will permit you to engage in nursing practice in any of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact states without having to obtain additional licenses. If you do not meet the criteria for a multistate license but you do meet the criteria for a single state license, a single state license will be issued to you.
A multistate license will be issued if you:
- Meet the requirements for licensure in the state of Arizona
- Have graduated from a board-approved education program
- Have passed an English proficiency examination – if English is not your native language
- Have passed the NCLEX or predecessor exam
- Have submitted fingerprints for state and federal background becks
- Have no state or federal felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing
- Have a valid United States social security number
Apply for licensure by completing the following requirements:
- Obtain a Diploma or Certificate from an approved program
- Obtain a passing score on NCLEX exam
- Submit transcripts including graduation dates and type of degree – for out-of-state graduates
- Submit a full set of fingerprints, for the purpose of obtaining State and Federal criminal record checks
- Pay the application fee of $150
Full details on obtaining an LPN license in Arizona are available here: Arizona LPN Licensure Requirements.
How Much Does The LPN Program Cost in Phoenix?
Phoenix, and Arizona as a whole, offers some of the most affordable tuition rates in the United States. Students who are eligible for in-district rates may complete a practical nursing program for an average cost of $7,600 inclusive of books, fees, and supplies.
Can You Become An LPN Online in Phoenix?
There is no option to complete a practical nursing program online in Phoenix. This lack on online option may be due in part to the requirement for in-person training under the a registered nurse to develop practical skills during the lab session and clinical internship portions of the program.
Free LPN Programs In Phoenix
There are no free LPN programs in Phoeonix. However, you can choose from one of many low-cost programs that also include the option for financial aid.
How Much Does a Practical Nurse Earn in Phoenix?
Licensed practical nurses earn a median average salary of $52,100 in Phoenix.
Sexy
Except when they’re over 50
LPN’S work in nursing homes these days. Don’t waste your time with this. Enroll into an RN program.